Imperial College London

Professor Beata Wojciak-Stothard

Faculty of MedicineNational Heart & Lung Institute

Professor in Vascular Biology
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 7594 6821b.wojciak-stothard

 
 
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Location

 

535ICTEM buildingHammersmith Campus

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Summary

 

Research Focus

The research focus of my group is to understand the mechanism of endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension. The objective of this work is to develop new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this disease. To achieve this we use data from proteomic, genomic and metabolomic screening of pulmonary hypertensive patient samples available in our Centre. This allows us to identify signalling mediators linked to endothelial dysfunction. We also manipulate the expression levels and activity of selected protein targets in cultured pulmonary vascular cells in order to verify their role in pulmonary vascular remodelling.

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Organ-on-a-chip (OOaC) modelling of vascular dysfunction in PH. To address the problem of significant drug failure in clinical trials and to reduce animal experimentation, my group have produced a novel device, a three dimensional model of human pulmonary artery in a microchip. The device was used to create the first inducible model of PAH, utilising patient-derived blood outgrowth endothelial cells. This pioneering work attracted industrial funding (Astra Zeneca) and resulted in numerous collaborations within Imperial College and abroad and won Provost’s Award For Excellence in Animal Research (3R’s).

Other OOac projects involve: (i) an alveoli-vascular model (BHF studentship and BHF CRE Intermediate Fellowship (ii) a model of vascular geometry in CTEPH (President’s PhD scholarship) and (iii) a model of sex-dependent signalling in PAH. Another novel platform utilising human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells to measure vasoreactivity in response to drug treatment (EPATs) is being developed by Dr Adam Fellows, an NHLI Intermediate Fellow in my lab.

 

  • Targeting of endothelial proteins involved in pro-proliferative, pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic responses of PAH endothelium – translational studies to address an unmet clinical need of identifying effective treatment strategy in PAH. The group of proteins of interest includes Ras, Rho and Arf GTPases, intracellular chloride channel (CLIC) proteins and Kruppel like transcription factor family , KLF2, 4 and 6. My group  utilise patient cells in vitro and rodent PAH models to establish effects of manipulation of expression and activity of these proteins on endothelial dysfunction and pulmonary vascular remodelling. Targeting approaches involve modification of protein prenylation as well as design of new inhibitors of Ras family regulatory proteins, guanosine exchange factors (GEFs).
  • Other recent projects focused on flow-induced changes in micro-RNAs:

- exosomal delivery of flow-induced therapeutic micro-RNAs. We identified a subset of exosomal microRNAs that are induced by homeostatic transcription factor KLF-2 in the lung endothelial cell but are reduced in PAH patients and animals and characterised the effects of liposomal delivery of these microRNAs on vascular remodelling in animal PAH models and endothelial function in vitro and in vivo.

- liposomal delivery of miR-150, known to be reduced in PAH and correlate with poor survival. Collaboration with Silence Therapeutics allowed us to use a liposomal preparation (DACC) that facilitates delivery of miRs into the lung endothelium.

 PAST PROJECTS

Earlier projects involved studying the role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in pulmonary vascular remodelling in pulmonary hypertension and therapeutic targeting of enzymes increasing nitric oxide bioavailability, DDAH.

 Our group were first to demonstrate that deficiency of oxygen and nitric oxide is a key factor in the disease process, inducing pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction and abnormal angiogenic responses as a result of an imbalance in the activation of actin cytoskeleton regulators, Rho GTPases: RhoA and Rac1.

We have identified another Rho GTPase, RhoB which is involved in pulmonary vascular remodelling. RhoB regulates actin polymerisation and the intracellular trafficking of growth factor receptors in pulmonary endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Prenylation (the addition of hydrophobic molecules, farnesyl or a geranyl-geranyl moiety to the C-terminal cysteine(s) of the target protein) of RhoB is required for its membrane localization and activation. We have identified an effective strategy of pharmacological targeting of RhoB by drugs used in the treatment of cancer, farnesyltransferase inhibitors. We show that these inhibitors may exert better control over disease-related increases in Rho proteins expression and activity than general prenylation inhibitors, statins.

Geranylgeranylated RhoB in HPAECsFig. 1. Overexpression of geranylgeranylated RhoB induces stress fibre formation in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs). GG-RhoB (blue), F-actin (red). Bar=10µm. 




We have recently identified a novel pathway regulating membrane trafficking and the stability of bone morphogenetic protein receptor II (BMPRII) in pulmonary endothelium involving Arf family of proteins. We show that activation of one member of this family, Arf6 inhibits membrane recycling of BMPRII and prompts proteolytic degradation of the receptor. Inhibition of Arf6 activity with cytohesin inhibitors, such as SecinH3, restores BMPRII expression and reduces inflammatory responses in cultured endothelial cells and the lungs of animal models of pulmonary hypertension and prevents development of the disease in preclinical models of PAH. This work identifies a new class of pharmacological targets in PAH. It also provides an important insight into basic biological mechanisms responsible for the regulation of localization and stability of membrane receptors.

Gyrating clathrin

Figure 2. Trajectories of YFP-GGA1 (yellow fluorescent protein–labelled golgi-associated, gamma adaptin ear-containing, ARF-binding protein 1) vesicles in CLIC4-overexpressing human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs). Bar=2µm. (Circ Res 2019)



Research Group

show research

Pulmonary Vascular Biology Group

PhD Students:

Salina Nicoleau; salina.nicoleau14@imperial.ac.uk  

Maike Haensel; maike.haensel18@imperial.ac.uk

Rehab Alharbi;  r.alharbi20@imperial.ac.uk

Alexander Ainscough; alex.ainscough14@imperial.ac.uk

Hebah Sindi;  h.sindi14@imperial.ac.uk

Mai Alzaydi; m.alzaydi15@imperial.ac.uk

Tim Smith; tahjsmartguy@gmail.com

Lucio Iannone; l.iannone@imperial.ac.uk

Lulwah Aldabbous; l.aldabbous12@imperial.ac.uk

Lisa Storck; lisa.storck@imperial.ac.uk

 

Post-Docs:

Dr Adam Fellows; a.fellows@imperial.ac.uk

Dr Sandro Satta

Dr Giusy Russomanno; g.russomanno@imperial.ac.uk

Dr Vahitha Abdul-Salam; vahitha.abdul-salam02@imperial.ac.uk

Dr Lucie Duluc; l.duluc@imperial.ac.uk

Dr Hilda Tsang

 

If you are interested in joining my research group, please contact me by email (b.wojciak-stothard@imperial.ac.uk ), enclosing a CV, short description of your research experience to date and proposed source of funding  for your work (if applicable).

 

MSc student supervision

Rachel Hayley  MSc in Molecular Medicine (Feb 2020-August2020)

Salina Nicoleau MSc in Molecular Medicine (Feb 2020-August 2020)

Pei Haoyu  MRes in Translational Medicine (Oct 2018-Sept 2019)

Angelos Glynos MRes in Translational Medicine (Oct 2017-September 2018)

Kyeong Beom Jo MSc in Molecular Medicine (Feb 2018-August 2018)

Ahmed Osman MRes in Translational Medicine (Oct 2016-September 2017)

Abdul Mahomed MRes in Translational Medicine (Oct 15-Aug 16)

Sara Fonseca  MSc in Molecular Medicine (Feb-August 2015)

Daria Belik MSc in Molecular Medicine (February – August 2013)

Dogukan Dalgalan MSc in Molecular Medicine (February–August 2012)

Wu Yixing MSc in Molecular Medicine (February-August 2011)

Andia Redpath MRes in Biomedical research, BMR stream October 2010 – May 2011

 

BSc student supervision

Miu Shing Hung BSc in Biomedical Sciences (Nov 2020-April 2021)

Nayana Iyler BSc in Biomedical Sciences (Nov 2019-April 2020)

Aditya Vijay BSc project (Haematology) (Feb –May 2019)

Jasraj Panesar BSc project (Haematology) (Feb-May 2015)

Veidika Chohan BSc project (Haematology) (February – May 2014)

Kim Dain BSc project (Haematology)(February – May 2014)

Dexter Valencia BSc project (Haematology) (February –May 2012)

Kirupananthan Thanighan BSc project (Haematology) (February –May 2012)

Wing kin Liu BSc project (Haematology) (February –May 2012)

Ahmed Syed BSc project (Haematology) (March- May 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collaborators

Prof. Soni Pullamsetti, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Germany., Collaborative work on the role of KLF2 signaling in pulmonary hypertension., 2017

Professor C Bernabeu, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040, Madrid, Spain., endoglin, vascular biology, 2014 - 2016

Mark Toshner, Pulmonary Vascular Diseases Unit, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Papworth, Everard Cambridge, United Kingdom, vascular biology, 2013 - 2017

Professor John C Edwards, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Louis University, St. Louis MO, 2012 - 2016

Professor Stuart Yuspa, Centre for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD, USA, chloride intracellular channel proteins, 2012 - 2016

Professor Kurt Stenmark, University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center, Aurora, 2012 - 2016

Professor Jane Mitchell, Department of Cardiothoracic Pharmacology, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, vascular biology, 2011 - 2016

Dr James Leiper, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, DDAH, vascular biology, nitric oxide, 2006 - 2016

Professor Hans-Joachin Schnittler, Institute of Anatomy and Vacular Biology, Munster University, Germany, 2005

Guest Lectures

Cambridge University - Kruppel-like factor 2 signalling in pulmonary arterial hypertension/or endothelial dysfunction in PAH, Cambridge University, Department of Pharmacology, 2020

Queen's University, Belfast - Endothelial microRNAs and pulmonary arterial hypertension, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Seminar Series, Queen’s University Belfast, 2020

IVBM Seoul, Korea -Therapeutic Role of Endothelial microRNAs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, International Vascular Biology Organization, Seoul, Korea, 2020

EVBO -Therapeutic Potential of Endothelial microRNAs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, 1st webinar European Vascular Biology Organization, 2020

Fukuoka, Japan. Shear stress-induced microRNAs: implications for treatment of pulmonary hypertension, 8th Annual World Congress of Molecular & Cell Biology, Fukuoka, Japan, 2018

Cambridge University: Exosomal KLF2-induced microRNAs: implications for treatment of pulmonary hypertension, Cambridge University, Cardiovascular Biology Seminar Series,, 2018

PVRI, Singapore. Exosomal KLF2-induced miRNAs in treatment of pulmonary hypertension, Annual World Congress of Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute in, Singapore, 2018

Role of chloride intracellular channel protein 4 in pulmonary vascular remodeling, 10th World Congress for Microcirculation, Kyoto, Japan, 2015

International CLIC4 meeting guest lecture:, Centre for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD, USA, 2015

RhoB is the regulation of endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension. Cardiovascular Biology Seminars., Clinical School, Cambridge University, 2013

Rho GTPases in the regulation of endothelial function, Nencki Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, 2012

Rho GTPases in the regulation of pulmonary vascular function, 6th European Vascular Biology Meeting, 2011

Vascular endothelium: Role in disease pathogenesis and as a terapeutic agent: Rho GTPases in the regulation of endothelial function, Imperial College London Vascular Biology Symposium, 2008

Hypoxia, ischaemia and infarction: An Update. Cellular mechanisms underlying hypoxic damage., Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine. Medical Society of London., 2007

Cardiovascule Medicine Seminar Series: Rho GTPases in endothelial responses to hypoxia, King's College London, 2006

Rho GTpases in endotelial responses to hypoxia, Grover Conference on Pulmonary Circulation, Denver, Colorado, 2006

Regulation of endothelial polarity and migration under shear stress, Cell Motility Club, LMCB, UCL, 2003

Research Staff

Abdul-Salam,V

Ainscough,A

Duluc,L

Fellows,A

Russomanno,G

Tsang,H

Research Student Supervision

Aldabbous,L, The Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in the pathogenesis of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)

Belik,D, Endoglin+ endothelium-derived microparticles in endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension

Chohan,V, The effects of RhoB prenylation modification on pulmonary artery endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia

Dagalan,D, Microparticles and endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension

Dain,K, The role of Chloride Intracellular Channel 4 in the regulation of leukocyte adhesion to the pulmonary endothelium

Iannone,L, ADMA METABOLISM AND CHRONIC HYPOXIA-INDUCED PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Liu,WK, The role of RhoA-induced microparticles in the regulation of pulmonary endothelial function in vitro

Mahomed,A, ROLE OF CHLORIDE INTRACELLULAR CHANNEL 4 IN THE REGULATION OF INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES IN PULMONARY VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM

Panesar,J, The Role of NETs in Pulmonary Endothelial Dysfunction: a potential player in the pathogenesis of PH

Redpath,A, cGMP in the regulation of pulmonary endothelial function

Sindi,H, Therapeutic role of exosome-mediated gene delivery in pulmonary hypertension (PH)

Storck,L, Profiling Protein Prenylation Using a Quantitative Chemical Proteomics Approach

Syed,A, RhoB in regulation of pulmonary endothelial cell responses to hypoxia

Thanighan,K, Potential therapeutic intervention for pulmonary hypertension — making cells talk to each other

Topp,SF, The effect of Tipifarnib on VEGF-induced pulmonary endothelial angiogenesis

Valencia,D, The role of chloride intracellular channel 4 in nuclear factor kappa B- mediated inflammation in Pulmonary Arterial hypertension

Yixing,W, Role of RhoB in the Regulation of Pulmonary Endothelial Responses to Hypoxia